Aqueous acetic acid soluble polyamines of epoxide copolymers



United States Patent AQUEOUS ACETIC ACID SOLUBLE POLYAMINES 0F EPOXIDE COPOLYMERS 'Martin E. Cupery, Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I.

No Drawing. Application June 23, 1952, Serial No. 295,127

19 Claims. (Cl. 26085.7)

This invention relates to novel polyamine copolymers and to their preparation.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 176,918, filed July 31, 1950, now abandoned.

Organic polymeric compounds containing reactive amine groups are of considerable importance in wool shrinkproofing, finishes for paper and fabrics and in other coating applications. However, polyamines hitherto available are deficient in certain characteristics, such as exhibiting poor color stability. Furthermore, polyprimary amines heretofore available are obtained by a process requiring catalytic reduction at elevated pressures. Such a process has the disadvantage that it requires a considerable investment in equipment.

It is an object of this invention to provide novel polyamine copolymers and a method for their preparation. A further object is to provide a new class of copolymers which contain basic amine groups and are soluble in dilute aqueous acid solutions. A further object is to provide a process for their preparation which avoids catalytic hydrogenation at high pressures. A still further object is to provide a new class of polyamine copolymers which have excellent resistance to discoloration on aging at room or elevated temperatures when used as impregnating or coating compositions. Another object is to provide polyamine copolymers which are highly useful as water-resistant films and coatings. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by providing polyamine copolymers which are the reaction products of ammonia or a hydrogen-bearing monoamine with an epoxide copolymer, said epox-ide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800 and at least one oxirane group attached laterally to the polymer chain with an epoxide oxygen content within the range of 0.4 to 7%. These polyamine copolymers are the reaction products of ammonia or a hydrogen-bearing monoamine with an epoxide copolymer of a monoethylenically unsaturated polymerizable ep oxy monomer containing an oxirane unit and one or more polymerizable vinyli-dene epoxyfree monomers, each of which preferably contains one and only one vinylidene group, in a mole ratio within the range from 1 to l to 1 to 75 and preferably below 1 to 45 of the oxirane units to the vinylidene units, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800. The mole ratio of the ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable epoxy monomer and polymerizable vinylidene epoxy-free monomer or monomersin the copolymer can be varied to the extent that there is at least one oxirane group attached laterally to the copolymer chain, and the oxirane (epoxide) oxygen content is within the range of 0.4 to 7%. The polyamine copolymers of this invention have an average neutral equivalent of not more than 6500 and generally of less than 3500 and preferably within the range of 160 to 3000. They have an amino nitrogen content of at least 0.3% and not over 10% and preferabl at least 0.4% and not more than 7%.

' A particularly preferred embodiment of this invention comprises the polyamines obtained from vinyl acetate/a]- lyl glycidyl ether copolymers having a molar ratio of between l/l and 45/1 (corresponding to a weight ratio of between about 43/57 and 97/3) and generally less than 25/1 (corresponding to a weight ratio of /5) and reacted with an alkyl monoamine, and preferably isopropylamine, until 50-80% of the oxirane groups have been converted to beta-hydroxyamine groups.

In the reaction between ammonia or the hydrogenbearing amine and the polyepoxy copolymer, it is believed that the oxirane group is converted to the corresponding polymeric derivative having hydroxyl and amino groups as illustrated below:

where R1, R2 and Rs are hydrogen or organic groups such as lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R4 and R5 are hydrogen or lower aliphatic radicals, particularly the alkyl or alkanol groups of l to 4 carbons and the entire unit is attached laterally to the polymer chain. When the R groups in the above compositions are either hydrogen or simple aliphatic groups, or consist of both hydrogen aud simple aliphatic groups, such as alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the molecular weight of the polymer is within the range of about 800 to' 15,000 or even higher and the neutral equivalent is below 600, the polyamine copolymers of the above structure have a high solubility in dilute aqueous acetic acid, that is aqueous acetic acid of 2 to 10% concentration, such as 3 or 5% aqueous acetic acid.

'Polymerizable monomers having oxirane groups, such as allyl glycidyl ether and glycidyl methacrylate, are high- 'ly suitable for copolymerization with well known vinylidene monomers, including vinyl monomers. Among such classes of monomers are the ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compounds having a terminal ethylenic double bond, the ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds having a terminal ethylenic double bond, and polymerizable vinyl esters including esters of a monocarboxylic acid. Examples of such monomers are methacrylic and acrylic acid esters, styrene, butadiene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, chloroprene, vinyl ethers, and the like. Particularly preferred for reason of availability and reactivity of the resulting copolymer are the monomers containing up to 6 carbons and containing oxygen, preferably the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compounds containing ester groups, e. g., the vinyl alkanoates of monobasic acids having up to 4 carbons. The oxirane copolymers obtained in this way are reacted with ammonia, or hydrogen-bearing monoamines, such as monoalkyl and dialkylamines.

' Ethylenically unsaturated, polymerizable, oxirane monomers particularly suitable for such copolymerizations are those which have the group range-*0 R s psa s alsrat and he i e Par ia rl ferred are the compounds containing the glycidyl group OCHg-CHCH2 attached to carbon which in turn is attached to a two to three carbon monovalent radical containing a vinylidene group. Such include the allyl and methallyl ethers and the acrylic and methacrylic esters.

Ammonia and suitable hydrogen-bearing monoamines are reacted with the copolymers containing oxirane groups, as described above, to give the polyamine copolymers of this invention. The reaction-maytakgplace in absence of added solvent, in arr-inert solvent s pch as benzene or dioxane, or, in the presence of fwater in yiew of thefact that water in the amountsroflfrom 0.1 to 5% increases the reaction rate of the .oXirane group with an amine. Suitable amines are represented by the formula I-INRrRz wherein R1 and R2! are hydrogen or aliphatic radicals of 1 to 8 carbons, includingcycloaliphatic ring compounds. In general, the aliphatic radicals contain carbon and hydrogen or carbon, hydrogen and oxygen,- and preferably are hydrocarbon or hydroxylated hydrocarbon. Examples of .suchamines are alkylamines such as methylamine, butylamine, cyclohexylamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, allyl amine,and'benzyl amine. For optimum solubility of the copolymer, alkanolamines, such as ethanol, and diethanolamines are employed. Lower alkyl amines such as isopropylamine combine reactivitywith solubility of the resulting polymer and the two to three carhonalkylamines are-generally preferred,

The oxirane copolymer employed for the reaction with ammonia ,or the hydrogen-bearing .monoaminecompound contains a plurality of 1,2-epoxy units attached laterally by one orv more inter eningcarbons and/ or oxygen atoms to the polymer chain.

The molecular weights of the copolymers can be deter.-. mined by any suitable manner, e. g., by ebullioscopic or viscosity measurements; The molecular weight of the oxirane copolymer should be at least 800 andpreferably 1000'to 8000 although polymers having molecular weights of 15,000 or higher can be used providing the number of oxirane groups is high;

The oxirane oxygen content of the polymeric epoxides aswell as the polymeric epoxyamines is determined by reaction of the epoxide in dry solution of dioxane or Z-ethoxyethanol with a standardized solution of hydrogen chloride in the solvent employed followed by a titration of'the unreacted hydrogen chloride or chloride ion. In the initial epoxy containing copolymer employed for reaction with the amine, the oxirane oxygen content is within the range of 0.4 to 7%. Although it-is possible to efiect substan tially complete reaction of the oxirane group with am monia. or a primary or secondary monoamine, the" more useful polymersare those in which sp s'pr the oxirzme groups are not reacted with the amino compound. These; partially aminated compounds include those that have from 10-98% of the oxirane groups reacted with ammonia or an amine, Particularly preferred are the polyepoxid'es' with fror'n 50 to 80% of the oxirane groups reacted with a m'onoamine such as isopropyl amine. The presence of,

minor amounts (especially -50%) of'residual oxirane groupsin the polymer after reaction with amine is of particul arunlity n the preparation of superior coating'c'ojrnpositions. Such products upon evaporation from vsollh ions containing volatile acids produce coatings which have increased resistance to water.

The oxirane content can be controlled by regulation of the amounts of reactant, time, and temperature of thereactionwith the amine; Copolymers which contain both epoxide and amine groups should be maintained at low temperatures or under neutral conditions to prevent pro: cipitatijon or gel formation from aqueous solutions. I

The neutral 'equivalentof the reaction Pres er oithe epoxy-containing"copolymer'andthe monoamihe is deter mined by titration in an alcohol solution with a strong acid. For a vinyl acetate/allyl glycidyl ether'copolynier of 1/1 molar ratio (43/57 wt. ratio) after reaction with isopropyl amine, the neutral equivalent is about 260. For a polymeric amine derived from the polyepoxide from copolymerization of a /10 vinyl acetate/allyl glycidyl ether monomer mixture, the neutral. equivalent is within the range of 1200-1350. The moresolpble .products have neutral equivalents that are between 260 and 1350 and preferablybelow 800. Copolymers having neutral equivalents of the order of 1200 form clear solutions of relatively high viscosities at solids contents of as high as 35-45 as their .acetatestor carbonates. High. neutral equivalents usually are associated with higher viscosities or compositions of colloidsin aqueoussolutions. Useful compositions having neutral equivalents as high as 6500 can be obtained with hydrophilic polymers.

The solubility of the amine-reaction product of the epoxy-containing copolymer is also directly related :to the proportion. of hydrophilic groups present. Incopolymers where-the epoxy-containing monomer is polymerized with a hydrocarbon, the resulting copolymer is less soluble in aqueous acidic systems than when the comonomer con tains hydrophilic groups as in vinyl acetate or methyl methacrylate.

The term solution as used herein with respect to solutionsof the .polyaminecopolymers in dilute aqueous acetic acid'hasthe usual meaningas stated in General Chemistry for Colleges, pages 121-123, by Alexander Smith, The- Century 00., New York, 1920 as follows: A solution is a clear, transparent, perfectly homogeneous liquid, in which the dissolved substance seems to have been dis persed so completely that the liquid cannot be distinguished by the eye from a pure substance. The qualitative characteristics, therefore, of solution are absence of settling, homogeneity, and extremely minute subdivision of'the dissolved substance. It must be stated explicitly that in going intosolution, as we have used the term, a compounddissolves as a whole.

The following examples, in which the parts are by weight, illustrate the practice of this invention.

EXAMPLE I Allyl glycidyl ether/ vinyl acetate copolynter-t-amines or ammonia cated that the product comprised about 5 parts vinyl acetate copolymeri zed with 1 part allyl' glycidyl ether.

The. product had a molecular Weight of about 2,000 and an equivalent weight of 532 per oxirane oxygen.

Thirtyrthree parts of the above copolymer as a 22% polymer'solution in benzene was treated with 5 parts diethanolamine and allowed to stand at room conditions for three-days. The polymeric derivative was soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid and was precipitated, upon the additioii of alkali or ammonia. Films obtained from solutions in dilute acetic acid were clear, glossy, moderatelyhar d and gave no discoloration on heating at C. for 30 minutes.

Similar treatments of the copolymer with monoethanolamine, or anhydrous ammonia under autogenous pressure, gave polymeric derivatives soluble in dilute acetic acid; Upon treatment with alkali, these solutions gave immediate precipitation of the amine polymer.

EXAMPLE 'I-I Allyl glycidyl ether/n-butyl acrylate copolymer ethanolamine The following components, by weight, were loaded into a closed vessel, blanketed with nitrogen, and held under vigorous agitation and a constant temperature of 70 C. for 22 hours.

Parts Allyl glycidyl ether 480 n-Butyl acrylate 320 Alpha,alpha-azodiisobutyronitrile (polymerization catalyst) 8 Benzene 710 The vessel was cooled to room temperature. The solvent and unreacted monomers were removed from the reaction mixture by distillation at 100 C./2 mm. pressure. To assure the complete removal of monomers, the product was then passed through a molecular still at 100 120 C. at 8 10- mm. pressure. The yield of non- 1volatile product was 408 parts of light yellow, viscous iqm This product was indicated to contain about 22% of allyl glycidyl ether as determined by analysis for oxirane oxygen. The copolymer had a molecular weight (ebullioscopic in benzene) of about 1900. It has an equivalent molecular weight of 550 per oxirane oxygen.

To eight parts of the above described copolymer of allyl glycidyl other and n-butyl acrylate, dissolved in 20 parts dioxane, was added 2 parts monoethanolamine and the solution heated at 90 C. for three hours. On addition of water, the reaction product was precipitated. The resulting polymer was soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid and was precipitated when the solution was neutralized with alkali or ammonium hydroxide. The initial copolymer, before reaction with ethanolamine was insoluble in water or dilute aqueous acetic acid. The polyamine had a neutral equivalent of 593.

EXAMPLE HI Allyl glycidyl ether/ vinyl chloride copolymer ethanolamine The following constituents by weight were placed in a stainless steel bomb:

lParts Vinyl chloride 30 Allyl glycidyl ether 70 Alpha,alpha' azodiisobutyronit rile (polymerization catalyst) 4 Benzene 45 The bomb was agitated for 16 hours at 80 C., then cooled and the reaction mixture removed. The solvent and unreacted monomers were removed by heating at 100 C./3 mm. pressure. The yield of residual polymer was 45 parts, which remained as a yellow, viscous liquid. Analysis for chlorine indicated a composition of 44% vinyl chloride and 56% allyl glycidyl ether. This corresponds to one oxirane oxygen per unit equivalent weight 182.

To 45 parts of the above described copolymer of allyl glycidyl ether and vinyl chloride, in 200 parts dioxane, was added 30 parts of monoethanolamine and the solution heated for 2 hours at about 90 C. Upon addition of water to the composition, the reaction product was precipitated. It was soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid and was precipitated from such solutions by treatment with alkaline reagents until the solutions were neutral or basic.

EXAMPLE IV Allyl glycidyl ezlzer/ vinyl chloride copolymer ammonia Four parts of the copolymer of Example III, dissolved in about 20 parts dioxane, was treated in a closed vessel with anhydrous ammonia under about 20 lbs. pressure.

6 After standing at about 25 C. for 70 hours, the product was precipitated by the addition of water. The product was soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid and precipitated from such solution by the addition of excess alkali.

The product dissolved in dilute acetic acid solution was treated with 37% formaldehyde solution. There was no precipitate. Films obtained from evaporation of this dilute acid solution containing formaldehyde were insolubilized by heating at 100 C. for 30 minutes, whereas similar compositions without formaldehyde were still soluble in dilute acetic acid when heated under identical conditions. The formaldehyde-cured films were smooth, glossy, clear, hard, tough, and did not soften in water.

EXAMPLE V Glycidyl methacrylate/vinyl acetate cop0lymer+amines orammonia A solution comprising 12 parts glycidyl methacrylate, 18 parts vinyl acetate, 70 parts anhydrous dioxane and 0.9 part benzoyl peroxide was placed in a closed container under nitrogen atmosphere and held at C. for a total of four hours. During this time, substantially complete polymerization took place. The final solution 'had a viscosity of about 0.50 poises. The copolymer isolated from this solution had a mole ratio of glycidyl methacrylate to vinyl acetate of about 122.5 and contained about 4.7% by weight of oxirane oxygen. This corresponds to a unit equivalent weight of 395 per oxirane oxygen. The molecular weight was approximately 2000.

To a solution containing 10 parts of the above polymeric epoxi'de in parts of dioxane was added 5 parts of monobutylamine and the solution heated at about 9095 C. for about twenty minutes. The reaction product was precipitated upon the addition of water and was readily dissolved in the aqueous solution by the addition of acetic acid. Upon addition of excess alkali or ammonium hydroxide to the solution in dilute acid, the polymer was again immediately precipitated. Upon subsequent addition of excess acetic acid, it was again dissolved. Solutions in dilute acetic acid upon evaporation on glass plates deposited clear, smooth, glossy, tough films. The neutral equivalent of the above mentioned polymeric amine was 468.

In place of butylamine, other amine-s containing at least one hydrogen attached to the basic nitrogen were used, including monoand diethanolarnine, monoand dimethyliamine, monoand diethylamine, cyclohexylamine, morpholine, and monoarnylamine. The results were similar. Likewise, the above epoxidc copolymer in dioxane solution was treated with anhydrous ammonia under pressure for about 16 hours at 25 C. to yield the corresponding polymer containing basic amine groups. The latter polymer was dispersible in water but was coagulated upon the addition of salts such as sodium chloride.

EXAMPLE VI Glycidyl methacrylate/ vinyl acetate copolyrner-l-ezhanolamine A solution of 71 parts of glycidyl methacrylate, 215 parts vinyl acetate, 667 parts anhydrous dioxane and 5.7 parts benzoyl peroxide was heated at about 80 C. for three hours. During this period, polymerization gradually took place, and the monomers were essentially completely polymerized. The resulting solution was clear, without color and had a viscosity of 0.22 poises. This solution contained about 28.6% of oxirane copolymer. The epoxide copolymer had an equivalent weight of 610 per oxirane oxygen. Upon the addition of water, the copolymer was precipitated.

Five parts of the above solution was diluted with 8 parts of dioxane and to this was added 1 part of ethanolamine. This solution was heated at C. for about 15 minutes. The resulting polymeric derivative precipitated upon the addition of water and was washed to remove amnes a pletelysolub'le upon 'treatrnentwitb dilute acetic acid, a'portio'n of the product forming 'e'ssentiall'y acolloidal dispersion. Upon evaporation, this solution formed "smooth, colorless, clear, rubbery -films which developed "good resistance to water after air-drying for s'everal hours.

4 EXAMPLE V11 7 Glycidyl-7nihacrylaze/styrene eopolym'er-i-ammdhia r amines -A solution of SOpartsgIycidyl methacrylate, 75 parts styrene, 292 parts anhydrous dioxane and 3.75 parts benzoyl peroxide was placed in a" closed container under nitrogen atmosphere and heated-"at 80 C. for a total of seven hours. During this period polymerization of the monomers was abeuf90'% complete. The solution at this point had a viscosity of 0.15 poises. The clear solution ofi oxirane-copolym'er was-then treated with ammoniaand "amines to obtain the 'cbrresponcling amine cop'olymer, using the following procedure.

A portion of the above-oxirane copolymer, a closed autoclave, was pressurized with anhydrous-ammonia and allowed 'tostand-at 25C. for about 16 hours. The resulting'sQlutiOn was clear, transparent and colorless.

Upon addition'of water, a soft polymer precipitated which was totally insolubl in water but was readily dissolved -in 3% aqueous acetic acid. Such solutions upon evaporationon glass plates or wood surfaces deposited smooth, glossy, tough, hard films. Thesefilms after dry-ing several hours had excellent resistance to water and exhibited -'-water'repellent properties. The addition of formaldehyde .to'such solutions hada curing action on the'film-s, thereby increasing the hardness and resistance to water. Heating such film-s accelerated drying and curing but 'did not greatly improve the properties of the films compared with films air-dried 24-110 urs orlonger.

Similar acid-soluble polymeric amines were obtained by heating the above ox-irane copolymer with ethanol- -amine, dimethylamine and monobutylamine. Theox-irane copolymer had a unit equivalent Weight of 450 per oxirane oxygen. The monobutylamine derivative had a neutral equivalent of-523.

EXAMPLE VIII Glycidyl methacrylate/buiaziiene copolymer-l-ammonia or amines A solution of 12 parts glycidyl methacrylate, 70 parts anhydrous dioxane and 0.9 part benzoyl peroxide was "placed in a pressure bomb and 18' parts of butadiene was a.

charged into the bomb. The charge-was heated at 80 C. for l6=hours at the end of which time the bomb was cooled and the-charge removed. There was obtained about 12 parts of copolymer by precipitation with addition of water.

The copolymer -was insoluble in dilute acetic acid, had an iodine number of about 190 and contained about 4% "Glycid yl metha'crylate/butyl aciyIate/styreize copolymer+amines or ammonia solution-of 40 parts of i-glycidyl metha'cryla-te, 40 partsbutyl acr-yla'te, 20 parts styrene, 150 parts anhydrous methyl isobutyl ketone' and 3 parts benzoyl i peroxide 'was -;heated at '85- C. for 3 hours. There was obtained a solution containing 37% by weight of the oxirane copolymer which had a viscosity-of 0.22 poise. .The polyiner was precipitated fromsolution by the addition of petroleum ether and was insoluble in dilute acetic acid.

I About lo parts of the above polymerization'solution diluted with EO-parts dioxane was treated withabout 8 partsof liquid ammonia and the solution'allowed to stand at 25 C. for 16 hours. The resulting polymer derivative precipitated upon the addition of, petroleum ether. After washing 'with water to remove residual ammonia, it dissolved in 3% aqueous "acetic acid forming a clear, colorless solution. Upon evaporation the solution gave a clear; colorless, tough film.

Similar derivatives of the oxirane copolymer' which were soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid-were-obtained by treatment of the oxiranecopolymer, in dioxane solution, with excess quantities of monoethanolamine, and

dimethylamine.

EXAMPLE X Glycidjll 'methacrylate/butyl acryl'ate/butyl methacrylate copblymer-l-amines vdioxar'ie was warmed with excess dimethylamine in a closed vessel at C. for about one hour. The reaction product was. precipitated by -water-but readily dissolved in dilute aqueous acetic acid. Upon the addition of excess alkali or ammonium hydroxide to the acid solution, the product again precipitated. Films obtained from-solutions in dilute acetic acid were clear, colorless, moderately hard, and toughf Upon air-drying for several hours or longer, they became insoluble and had excellent resistance to water.

Similar products, soluble in dilute aqueous acetic acid, were obtained by treating the epoxide copolymer, as above, with mcnoethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and ammonia.

EXAMPLE XI Allyl glycidyl ether/butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymer-i-amines To 200 parts allyl glycidyl ether containing one part benzoyl peroxide was added slowly with agitation over aperiod of three hours at a temperature of -91" (3., '-'a solution of parts methyl methacrylate, 25 parts butyl acrylate and 2.25 parts benzoyl peroxide. The heating-was continued for another one-fourth aOf anihour. The polymerization solution had a viscosity of 4.3S-poises and contained 49.3 copolymer solids.

A portion of the polymerization solution treated with low-boiling aliphatic hydrocarbon precipitated oxirane copolymer. Upon further washing with hydrocarbon solvent,- and reprecipitatien from a solution in acetone, there was obtained' a copolymer sample essentially free from residual monorners. This contained 2.20% oxirane- -oXygen, 60.56%'-carbon and 8.21%hydrogen.

A dioxanesolution-containing 14% by weight of the above oxirane polymer and 6.5% of monoethanolamine was heated at 90 C. for 2 /2 hours. The reaction product precipitated upon the addition of water and was washed with warm water. The product was soluble in dilute'aqueous-acetic' acid and precipitated readily upon neutralization with alkali. The dry product obtained 1.1 l %-nitr.ogen, 60.40% carbon and 8.74%- hydrogen and hada-neutralequivalent of 1260. Solutions'of the abovedescribed-polymericamine on evaporationdegreases posited films which were clear, smooth, hard, colorless, and moderately tough.

EXAMPLE XII Allyl glycidyl ether/vinyl acetate copolymer+amines or ammonia A solution comprising 3240 parts vinyl acetate, 360 parts allyl glycidyl ether, 1800 parts isopropyl alcohol and 72 parts di(tertiary butyl)peroxide was heated in a closed autoclave with agitation under an atmosphere of nitrogen, to a temperature of 100 C. The temperature was allowed to increase gradually over a period of about 3 hours to a final temperature of 130 C. and then held at this temperature for about one-fourth hour. Slight cooling was required during a portion of this cycle to control the exothermic polymerization and heating was necessary before appreciable polymerization occurred and, finally, to complete the polymerization. The conversion of monomer to polymer for a series of experiments varied from about 70 to 98% of theory.

The polyepoxide was isolated from the polymerization solution and purified by precipitation with petroleum ether. After Washing and dissolution in methyl ethyl ketone it was further purified by again precipitating with petroleum ether. After dissolution in methyl ether ketone the petroleum ether was removed by warming the solution under reduced pressure. The product had a molecular weight of about 3200 and contained about 1. 15% oxirane corresponding to an oxirane equivalent weight of 1355 and an allyl glycidyl ether content of 8.4%. The polyepoxide was soluble in acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, and in alcohol/water mixtures. It had low solubility in anhydrous alcohols and was practically insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons.

The purified polyepoxide at 71% concentration in methyl ethyl ketone was used to make up an amination solution comprising 690 parts polyepoxide, 280 parts methyl ethyl ketone, 1194 parts isopropyl alcohol, 46 parts water and 90 parts isopropylamine. This solution was heated, under an atmosphere of nitrogen, for three hours at 55 C. A portion of the solution, after the heating cycle, was precipitated with petroleum ether, washed with the same solvent, and then further purified by dissolution in dioxane followed by precipitation and washing with petroleum ether. This purification cycle was repeated. The product was again dissolved in dioxane and the residual petroleum ether removed under reduced pressure. The product had a neutral equivalent of 2000 and an oxirane equivalent of 5160. A similar amination of the same polyepoxide heated for 2.5 hours at 55 C. yielded a polyamine having a neutral equivalent of 2520 and an oxirane equivalent of 2920, and which was soluble in dilute aqueous acids, such as acetic and carbonic acids.

Upon the addition of low amounts of formaldehyde /3 to V5 mole formaldehyde HCHO per amine equivalent) the viscosity of the aqueous solution of the polyamine carbonate was greatly reduced. Likewise, when solutions of the polyamine carbonate were exposed to air for several hours or longer or briefly exposed to reduced pressure of 10-40 mm., carbon dioxide was released and the solution viscosity decreased rapidly. A comparison of these effects is given in the tabulation below.

Polyamine Carbonate 0.25 mole ior- Carbonate maldehyde After loss of O: Viscosity at (based on at solids content solids content neut. equiv. Neut. Oxirane at solids conequiv. equiv. tent Polyamines of this type on evaporation from aqueous solutions form clear, tough, glossy films which are insoluble in water immediately after air-drying and show good resistance to water (no swelling, only slight softening upon 1 hour exposure) after air-drying overnight or longer. Pigments such as titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, lithopone and many others, can be milled into the viscous solutions of these polyamines, followed by the addition of formaldehyde to reduce the viscosity to brushing or spraying consistency. Other agents which promote colloid formation can likewise be added to obtain reduced viscosity and other desired effects. Such paint compositions at desired viscosity levels brush easily and dry rapidly to coatings having high gloss and excellent resistance to wet scrubbing. In alternative water-paint preparations the formaldehyde can be added prior to the pigment followed by ball milling or grinding to give desired dispersions of the pigments in the composition.

EXAMPLE XIII Allyl glycidyl ether/ vinyl acetate copolymer-i-isopropylamine An allyl glycidyl ether/ vinyl acetate polyepoxide prepared as in Example XII had a molecular weight of about 4800 and an oxirane equivalent of 1400. A solution comprising 30% of this polyepoxide, 12% methyl ethyl ketone, 52.5% isopropyl alcohol, 2.0% water and 3.8% isopropylamine was held at 50 C. for 2 hours. The polyamine, isolated and purified by petroleum ether precipitations and washings had a neutral equivalent of 2720 and an oxiraue equivalent of 3300. This product, as the acetate or carbonate, was soluble in aqueous solutions.

Films obtained from aqueous solutions of the polyamine carbonate dried rapidly to tough, tack-free, waterresistant coatings. Aqueous solutions of the acetate of this polyamine at about 33% solids had much higher viscosity (about 60 poises) than the corresponding more colloidal polyamine carbonate (0.75 poises) or the corresponding 1:1 acetate/carbonate (3.9 poises) solutions, at the same concentration levels. Upon heating, upon exposure to air, or when placed under reduced pressure, solutions of polyamine carbonate released carbon dioxide and showed increasing colloid formation under lightscattering measurements, and a gradual lowering in viscosity. Upon exposure to carbon dioxide at atmospheric or slightly elevated pressure, these eifects were reversed.

EXAMPLE XIV Allyl glycidyl ether/ vinyl acetate copolymer-i-isopropylamine A solution comprising 2280 parts vinyl acetate, parts allyl glycidyl ether, 480 parts isopropyl alcohol and 12 parts benzoyl peroxide was heated to 70 C. and held at 70-74 C. (reflux temperature) over a period of two hours. An additional 5 parts of benzoyl peroxide catalyst was added and the solution held at reflux temperature (73-74 C.) for an additional period of about three hours. Another 5 parts of benzoyl peroxide was then added and mild heating continued to maintain reflux for an additional two and a half hours. At the end of this time the solution was moderately viscous. The solution temperature, under mild reflux, was 81 C. A solids determination of the solution indicated that the conversion of monomers to polymer was 90.7% of theory. A sample of the polymer, purified by precipitation and washing with petroleum ether was found to contain 0.64% oxirane oxygen, corresponding to an oxirane equivalent weight of 2500. The molecular Weight was about 7000.

The above polyepoxide was purified by precipitating and washing with petroleum ether followed by dissolving in methyl ethyl ketone and again precipitating and 11 uraishing with'petroleum ether. A 54'.-2% -solution of this copolymer :in gm'ethylv. ethyl ketone' was then: usdito *prepare -an -amination solutioncomprising 30% poly- -epoxide,f-26.6%"methyl ethyl ketone, 38.4% isopropyl :alcohol, '-2;0% water and4.0% isopropyl amine. This solution was heatedat-55 C. for three-hours and then :allowed to stand at- O"- C..forabout- 60-hours. 'A- portion-of' the solution purified by precipitating and-washing with"petroleum -ether was found-by analysis to have a neutral equilavent of 4070 and anoxirane equivalent "ofi 5'600. Separationof the polyamine by precipitating -with water' and washing, followed by'dissolving in ethanol anderepre'cipitating and washing with waten gave a:prodnot which uponmixing'with' waterin em -atmosphere .2 of carbon dioxide underabout 2 lbs. pressure, formed .a cloudysolution of moderatelylow viscosity at 35.6% -solids. Theneutral equivalent-value ofthisproduct was .4040. Addition of one-half f mole equivalent of 1 acetic acid, based on neutral equivalent, to the-polyamine carbonate gave a nearly clear, highly viscous solution. Replacing the carbonate with acetate by addition of one uncle-of. acetic acid basedon .neutral equivalent. gave a nearly colorless, clear, viscous, non-flowable paste at 35.6%, polyamine solids.

Anenamel prepared by milling titanium oxide pigment into a"21.4% aqueous solution of the above polyamine acetate using 1/1 pigment/polyamine ratio by weight, had excellent brushing properties, and showed fairly good leveling. Such coatings-after air-drying for several hours could be Washed with wateror dilute soap solutions without deleterious effects. These coatings had good;gloss and superior whiteness with no noticeable discoloration after heating at 70 C. for 24 hours. A corresponding enamel made from the polyamine acetate/carbonate (0.5/0.5 mole equivalent ratio based on neutralequivalent) had appreciably lower viscosity atabout 48% total solids and good application properties. Air-dried coating of this enamelhad slightly better resistance to wet scrubbing than those-made from the enamel based on "the complete acetate of the same polyamine.

j'lIhe abovepolyepoxide aminated in a.solution comprising 30% polyepoxide, 65.2% isopropyl alcohol, '1 .2'5%' water and 3.6% isopropylamine (heated .three hours at 55 C. and after standing-60 hourstat. 25. C.) yielded a product having a. neutralequivalent of 2600. This product, uponmixingwith a smalLamount of .water and /3 mole equivalent ofacetic acid followedbymixing under an atmosphere of carbondioxide (l-Z. lbs. pressure), yielded a viscous clear paste having 46.8% polyamine solids. Dilution with-.Water to about solids yielded a clear solution of-pI-I 7.2,.having a rvis- 'cosity of 27 poises. "The addition of /3 mole formaldehyde to this solution gave a soft paste-like composition. "Eilms.oftheseproducts wereinsolublein water although they-.:weret softened appreciably upon prolongedco'ntact r .vrithwater.

'iA-isimilar' polyaminmhaving aneutral equivalent value of'5050 prepared by the same procedure's' from a poly- :epoxide copolymer of allyl-glycidylether and vinyl-acetate having an oxirane equivalent of 2580 and a -molecular weightof.v about 7000, was dispersible,-largely in colloidlstate in aqueous solution as'the carbonate. A 30% solution of this polyamine had a pH-value of 7.4' 'and .a'viscosity of 2.0 poises. -Airdried=films of thisproduct -wcre elear, hard and-- tough and rapidly 7 developed hi gh -re nce to watcr, including severewashingtreatments withsoapy water. i

Since the composition ofthe-preeursor-oxirane copolymet-can be varied widely byzthe che'iceofsuit'ablemonomors and the conditions gused -for copolymeriz'ation, *it -is.1po'ssible to control closely thecharacter 'ofthe'polyarninewhich is prepared by the aboveprocess ,Itis

:obviously important that the polyinerization, be carried out 1 under conditions of' monomer ration-temperature,

1 and catalyst concentrations, known "in the art of' poly- However, variations in film character can beobtained,

vare uniformly copolymerized at the desired rate.

.me'rization and illustratedbythe examples, sothat-a-suitable and uniform distribution of oXirane units isobtained in the parent oxirane copolymer. .In order to obtain polyamines of favorable solubility in dilute aqueous acids, the

resulting. oxirane polymer should be reacted with a controlled amount of ammonia, or primary and secondary amines .to avoidcrosslinking of the polymer. and favor oxirane groups inthe precursor copolymer must be fairly uniform. :This can be accomplishedbysuitable control .of the;polymerization.conditions so that both the vinyl monomer and the monomer containingoxirane groups It is wellknown inthe .art of copolymerizations that such control is obtained by suitableadjustments ofthe polymerization factors such-as the solvent used, the type of catalyst and its concentration, theratioof the-monomers employed and the temperature at which the polymerization-is accomplished. Representative conditions for preparing suitable oxirane copolymers are given'in the foregoingexamples. Further adjustments-of the conditions illustrated and other factors can bemade to obtain-specific effects, such as variations in molecular weight, oxirane content, yield of polymer and desired film-forming properties. It is essentiaL-however, that one of the monomers of the copolymerization contain the'oxirane grouping to furnish this structure inthe copolymer whichis prepared and that the conditionsibe such that the oxirane ,group' is retained-in the copolymeruntil-reacted with the :amine. The reaction maybe carried out with or with- ..outthe-presence of inert solvents. It'is often advantageous to dissolve the epoxide copolymerin the monoamine, such as monobutyl amine,.and complete :thereaction by heating. Representative conditions forthis reaction are illustrated by the examples-and for specific copolymers, are;easilydetermined by procedures well .known in the :art. ln-some cases,'desired.elfects in theproperties'of .the 'polyaminesare obtainable by employing combinations of various monoamines or such monoamines-used, simultaneously; or successively,;in combination withamvrnonia. .zIngeneral;isopropylamine.isrpreferred in view of itszhighireactivity andlow tendency toundergo crosslinking reactions with otheroxirane-containing: molecules. The polyamine copolymers-of thisinventionare soluble :inv dilute acetic acid or aqueous, solutions of other'mono- .basic organic and inorganicuacids. or polybasic acids tend toz-favor .colloid formation and in In -general,. dibasic some instances =insolubilize 'the :polyamine. -Filrns obtainedrbyhevaporation of solutions of these polymeric amines in dilutetacids are usually clear,;hard, and tough.

as described above, by suitable selection of the comonomers, control of the conditions for polymerization, and

selection of the monoamine for reaction withthe oxirane salts-"with various-acids such-'asroleic acid, drying oil acids, castor oil acids, benzoic acid, :adipic acid, etc. In general, aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, react with aqueous acidic or slightly basic solutions of the polyamine copolymers of this invention to give colloids which have modified rheological properties. Lower viscosity of the solutions is likewise obtained by the use of salts, heat, and less soluble organic acids. For example, a solution having 30-35% solids and a viscosity of 30 to 60 poises upon loss of carbon dioxide (carbonate salt) had a viscosity which decreased to 0.5 to 2.0 poises with formation of colloid particles of 0.1 to 0.4 micron in size. This property is of advantage in the preparation and use of aqueous pigmented compositions for coatings applied by brushing, spraying or flowing. Upon air drying such coatings rapidly develop high resistance to water, as in wet scrubbing.

The polyamine copolymers of this invention are useful as coatings and impregnating compositions for paper, wood and textiles. They are also useful as adhesives, as dispersing agents for waxes and oils, and as binders for printing inks and paints; These polyamine copolymers are substantially colorless and have outstanding stability of color in contrast to polyamines obtained by other procedures, such as by hydrogenation reactions.

As many apparently widely difierent embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3 to and which is the reaction product of a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogenbearing monoamines with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized vinylidene epoxy-free monomer selected from the class consisting of epoxy-free ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds having a terminal ethylenic double bond, epoxy-tree vinyl monomers containing oxygen, chloroprene, vinyl chloride, and vinylidene chloride, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolyrner having a molecular weight of at least 800 and an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

2. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3 to 10% and which is the reaction product of a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogenbearing monoamines with an epoxide copolyrner consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized epoxy-free vinyl monomer containing oxygen, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

3. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3 to 10% and which is the reaction product of a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogenbearing monoamines with an epoxide copolymer con sisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

4. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid as set forth in claim 1 wherein said monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer is allyl glycidyl ether.

5. A polyamine copolyrner wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7% and which is the reaction product of a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogenbearing monoamines with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerize-d epoxy-free vinyl monomer containing an ester group, in

' 14 a mole ratio of. 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

6. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7% and which is the reaction product of an alkyl amino-hydrogen-bearing monoamine with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized vinyl alkanoate epoxy-free monomer, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

7. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7% and which is the reaction product of a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogenbearing monoamines with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of polymerized allyl glycidyl ether and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%.

8. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7% and which is the reaction product of an alkyl amino-hydrogen-bearing monoamine with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of polymerized allyl glycidyl ether and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7% 9. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7% and which is the reaction product of isopropylamine with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of polymerized allyl glycidyl ether and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular Weight of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7% 10.'A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3

- to 10% and which is a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturtaed epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized vinylidene epoxy-free monomer selected from the class consisting of epoxy-free ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds having a terminal ethylenic double bond, epoxy-free vinyl monomers containing oxygen, chloroprene, vinyl chloride, and vinylidene chloride, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%, and said partially aminated epoxide copolymer having from 10 to 98% of the epoxide groups reacted with a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogen-bearing monoamines.

11. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3 to 10% and which is a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized epoxy-free vinyl monomer containing oxygen, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 800 with an epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%, and said partially aminated epoxide copolymer having from 10 to 98% of the epoxide groups reacted with a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogen-bearing monoamines.

12. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3 to 10% and which is a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated epoxy monomer and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:75,

.15 saiclepoxide copolymer having a molecular: weight "of at -l'eastr800 with anepoxide oxygen contentof 0.4. to- 7%, and said partially aminated' e'poxidecopolymer having from '10 to 98 of the epoxide groups reacted :with a member of the classconsisting of ammonia and-aminohydrogen-bearing 'monoamines.

13. I A polyamine copolymer whollysoluble-inaqueous 5% acetic acid asset-forth in claim 10 wherein said monoethylenically unsaturated epoxymonomeris allyl'glycidyl ether.

ii- AuPOiYfiIIllflfi copolymer Wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acidhavingan amino-nitrogencontent of 04 to 7% and which is a partiallyarninated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially ofa polymerized monoethylenically unsaturatedepoxy monomer and atleast one polymerized epoxy-free vinyl monomer containing an ester group, in a-mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight'of at least 1000 with an epoxide oxygen content oE-0.4-to 7% ,andsaid partially aminated epoxide copolymer having from 50 to 80%: of the epoxide groups reacted with a member of the class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogen-bearing'monoamines.

15. A polyamine copolymer wholly solublein aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of-.4

to 7% and which is a partially=aminated-:epoxide co polymer consisting essentially of a polymerized 'monoethylenicallyunsaturated epoxy monomer and at least one polymerized vinylalkanoate' epoxy-free monomer, in -a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of atleast 1000 with an epoxide oxygen i content of 0.4 to 7%, and said partially aminatedepoxide copolymer having from 501080%of the epoxide groups reacted'with a member ofthe class consisting of ammonia and amino-hydrogen-bearing 'monoam'ines.

- 16."A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble'in aqueous acetic acid having an aminonitrogen"content of 0.4

' to 7% and whichis a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentiallyofpblymerized allyl glycidyl ether and polymerized vinyl-acetate,'in:a mole ratio of 1 :1 to

amember-oflthezelass consistingof ammonia and aminohydrogen-bearingv monoamines.

17. A polyaminecopolymer Wholly soluble in aqueous 5% acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.4 to 7%.and which is a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of polymerized allyl glycidyl ether andepolymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratio of 1:1 to 1 1:45, said.epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight to 7% :'and which is a partially aminated epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of :polymerized allyl glycidyl-ether and polymerized vinyl acetate, in a mole ratioof lzl to 1:45, said epoxide copolymer having a molecular weight of at least 1000 with an-epoxide oxygen content of 0.4 to 7%, and said partially aminated epoxide copolymer having from :to'-80% of the epoxidegroups reacted with'isopropylamine.

19. A polyamine copolymer wholly soluble in aqueous 5%acetic acid having an amino nitrogen content of 0.3

to 10%and which is the reaction product of an alkanol amino-hydrogen-bearing monoamine with an epoxide copolymer consisting essentially of a polymerized mono- '-ethylenically unsaturated epoxy. monomer and at least one "polymerizedvinylidene epoxy-free monomer selected from -the class consisting of epoxy-free ethylenically-unsaturated 'hydrocarbonicompoundshaving a terminal ethylenic dou- -ble' bond, epoXy-free vinyl monomers containing oxygen,

1:45, said epoxide copolymer having amolecular-Weight of at least 1000 with anepoxide oxygen content'of 0.4 to 7%, and saidpartially -aminated epoxide copolymer having fromSO to ofthe epoxide groups reacted with. a

chloroprene, vinylchloride, and vinylidenechloride, in a m oleratio of 1:1 to 1:75, said epoxide copolymerzhaving amolecular-weightof at least- 800tandan epoxide oxygen content of 0.4-to 7%;

vRefere'nces Cited inthe file of this patent f UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A POLYAMINE COPOLYMER WHOLLY SOLUBLE IN AQUEOUS 5% ACETIC ACID HAVING AN AMINO. NITROGEN CONTENT OF 0.3 TO 10% AND WHICH IS THE REACTION PRODUCT OF A MEMBER OF THE CLASS CONSISTING OF AMMONIA AND AMINO-HYDROGENBEARING MONOAMINES WITH AN EPOXIDE COPOLYMER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A POLYMERIZED MONOETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED EPOXY MONOMER AND AT LEAST ONE POLYMERIZED VINYLIDENE EPOXY-FREE MONOMER SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF EPOXY-FREE ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS HAVING A TERMINAL ETHYLENIC DOUBLE BOND, EPOXY-FREE VINYL MONOMERS CONTAINING OXYGEN, CHLOROPRENE, VINYL CHLORIDE, AND VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE, IN A MOLE RATIO OF 1:1 TO 1:75, SAID EPOXIDE COPOLYMER HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF AT LEAST 800 AND AN EPOXIDE OXYGEN CONTENT OF 0.4 TO 7%. 